Disney Channel doubles down on books

The House of Mouse optioned the rights to Dear Sweet Pea and ordered a second season of Gabby Duran & the Unsittables.

Disney Channel is really hitting the books, optioning the rights for a new novel and ordering a second season of a book-based series before the first episodes even air.

The company optioned the rights to Dear Sweet Pea, the new novel from Julie Murphy (Dumplin’), for the Disney Channel Original Movie development slate. The book follows 13-year-old Patricia “Sweet Pea” DiMarco as she secretly answers letters meant for an advice columnist, all while adjusting to her parents’ divorce.

In other House of Mouse news, Disney Channel ordered a second season of the family comedy Gabby Duran & the Unsittables (pictured) ahead of the show’s October 11 premiere on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. Production on the second season will begin in February 2020.

The series was greenlit last year, and is based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Elise Allen and Daryle Conners. The show is executive produced by Mike Alber and Gabe Snyder (Kirby Buckets) and Joe Nussbaum (Just Add Magic). Gabby Duran follows the titular teen protagonist as she babysits a group of aliens disguised as regular children.

These announcements come as more producers and broadcasters turn to publishing in response to the growing demand for children’s content. Recent efforts include Awesome Media & Entertainment’s deal to developThe Last Wish of Sasha Cade and Netflix’s live-action series inspired by The Baby-Sitters Club books.